Another shot and beer

Another shot and beer, barkeep, if you please.
I need to set my heart at ease.
Then two or perhaps three or four more;
just keep them coming
there’s no reason to keep score.
One beer makes me antsy,
two beers make me brave,
a third with a shot of ‘Jack’
makes me want to cave.

“Get out,” she’d said, “you wear me down.
I want a man with common sense;
who can bring me roses and use a wrench.
One who brings with him a pot of gold,
so I’ll never worry about getting old;
who can make love through the night
and do it again and again at first light;
whose kiss holds true throughout the day.
Damn it, what more can I say?”

“I understand you’re looking for someone other than me,” I’d said.
“You dream of a man you hold in your head.
One who hears your every word and caters to your every wish;
who can ride a bronco and wash a dish.”
The hell with her, I said in my head.
Or should I surrender and crawl back to her bed,
where most times we settle things in a manly-womanly way?

There’s no need to fight ‘cause I’ll never win.
My groveling before her is my even greater sin.
I need to man up and hold my sacred ground;
be the man I know I can be, the one who was so profound.
I traveled the highway and did only manly tasks
from scaling the highest mountain to wielding a Viking’s axe.
Where did he go,
that masculine guy, who was bigger than life
who swore he would never have a wife?

Who am I kidding?
 I am who I am;
a man who can’t live alone,
who needs a woman by his side,
and a place to call home.
 I guess I too am searching for a way;
to be the man she wants me to be,
to face the inner demons I must slay,
and unlock all that’s inside, oh I yearn to be free.

I’ve all the time I need to put another drink in me
Another shot and beer, barkeep, if you please.
I need to set my heart at ease.
Then two or perhaps three or four more;
just keep them coming
there’s no reason to keep score.
This was my final plea.

The barkeep turned and looked at me.
“I’m shutting you down, you’re a man, you’ll not drown.
You had enough, you’re two drinks over the limit
​and that’s just crazy stuff.
It’s time for you to go home.
So put your tail between your legs
and maybe she’ll throw you a bone.
You can’t stay here,
the bar’s about to close.
You’ve run out of time;
I’ve run out of beer.”